looked up just as a sharp, orange-red light illuminated the arena where the exam was taking place. Muffled screams could also be heard from that direction. The dragon stopped. They were standing a few steps away from the stairs leading up between the terraces.
Another flash was brighter and accompanied by the sound of thunder. Several people hurriedly descended below the ill-fated terrace, trying to get as far away as possible.
Above the crackling, the strong voice of instructor Hartmann rang out. The incantation seemed to break and not form a meaningful whole, but the runes on the obelisks glowed with a stronger light. The barrier shook under the influence of another flash. The interior of the arena filled with red and purple smoke, in which lightning flashed every few moments.
The distant crackling of energy mixed with something else, something less tangible, sent unpleasant shivers down the dragon's spine. Draco felt his stomach clench and nausea rise in his throat. He glanced at Aiden, who had turned pale and looked as if he was about to vomit.
Another scream caught the reptile's attention. He looked up again. The obelisks were completely ablaze with golden energy, and the barrier had become almost opaque, yet the light of red lightning continued to pierce through it.
Hartmann's voice rose above the din like the roar of a powerful storm. Even from such a distance, it seemed to drip with power, condensed mana. The former officer's might was overwhelming. His words merged together, making their meaning impossible to grasp, causing the air to tremble and giving the impression that reality itself was vibrating in time with their rhythm.
Something howled. The howl threw everyone near the terrace to the ground, and even those still at the bottom of the valley bent over. Amidst the flashes piercing through the barrier, something moved. Something big. Something that was pushing against one of the obelisks.
Hine and the other instructor came running from the shooting range and rushed towards the terrifying spectacle. On the way, they passed students lying on the steps, but they didn't even
